All that talk of snow earlier in this thread was scary. I moved out to Phoenix to get away from NJ winters.

I also am a newbie, but I have been a lurker here for a while. Just got a Delta Midi set up, and so far converted a couple 10" chunks of OLD redwood 4X4 post into sawdust, talk about DRY wood, ever break 3" diameter turning with a minor catch? Snapped right in two! Had one split lengthwise too.

The last time I used a lathe was 45 years ago in Junior High. Now I have to relearn everything, not that I learned much then. and of course the shop teacher never let anyone else touch HIS tools to a grinder, so I never learned that part. Just picked up a Wolverine with Vari-grind and Skew Jig. Hopefully I will be able to get a smooth edge now.

The woodturner formerly known as PhilipE. Willing to mentor members who live in the southeastern Indiana/Kentuckiana area (Louisville area)

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texascop47

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What happened to that web page?

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Re: WelcomeReply #97 - Aug 27th, 2005 at 2:57am

Welcome JIm to this great addiction. I know what you mean on the redwood. I had a couple small pieces that someone gave me and they both split. I was just starting and they were real dry. They ended up later as pen blanks.

Welcome to WR, Jim. That Delta and the Wolverine are a great setup. Find someone who's trimming trees around your neighborhood (tune your ears to the sound of chain saws ), and grab a chunk. You'll like green wood much better than bone dry redwood!

I just was offered a 40 foot tree worth of Eucalytus logs, but was advised that if you don't treat it as soon as the chain saw gets past that it dries out so fast out here that it shatters, and it was cut 3 weeks ago. It already had splits in the center that I could put my finger into.

Then there were the Palo Verde trees that need to come down in a neighbor's yard, Beautiful green bark....... Poisonous... You can't even burn it safely, and the dust is such an extreme bronchial irritant that it may be fatal.

I may just have to sacrifice the ash tree in the back yard. NOT!!

I am thinking of running up north to an apple orchard to see if I can get some trimmings.

"Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time.I think I've forgotten this before." - Steven Wright

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E. Bud Gillaspie

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Where'd I put that round tuit?

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Re: WelcomeReply #100 - Aug 27th, 2005 at 8:51am

Jim, redwood is a toxic wood. When you turn it be sure you are using some sort of dust filtering such as dust mask, respirator, etc. The same can be said for all spalted woods.

The reason I say the above is that I've not been turning for about 6 weeks (other than pens = little dust) do to my lack of knowledge. I developed a fungal sinus infection from turning spalted maple w/out a respirator. A fungal infection is not something you want to have.

I'd like to add a little to what Bud said about Redwood being toxic. I bought a couple of 2x2 pieces of redwood at Home Depot, the stuff for making deck rails. I cut it and glued it to make some inside out ornaments. After turning it I had this weird prickly sensation in my fingers and found that is was jillions of tiny little slivers. So besides it being bad to breath, be careful and maybe wear some tight golf gloves or something if ever turn it.

John, welcome to WR! We're here to help, looks like you've got a nice piece of old iron to work on. Feel free to browse around the Project Plans, Tips, Techniques portions of the site, you'll find some nice stuff to help you along.